1:3
This verse is very typical of Paul’s introductions, and is the blessing that occurs in most of them. We need grace and peace, and these are given to us from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Note the equivalence of the Father and the Son. Notions that the divinity of Christ was a later addition to Christian theology are completely without foundation. Note also that God is our Father, there is a personal relationship here, and it is quite amazing that the creator of the whole universe should be our Father!
1:4
As with most letters, Paul then gives thanks for the church in Corinth. The one exception to this is the church in Galatia. It may seem surprising to us that Paul gives thanks for them, given the mess the church is in. However, Paul still sees that God is at work in the church. We can look at a church (or even ourselves) and see all the things that are wrong. We should not overlook these things, but we should seek to correct them. Things can only be corrected if the grace of God is at work in our lives. We are utterly dependent upon the grace of God, but when the grace of God is at work all things are possible.
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